Where are the Easter egg hunts and other Easter activities for kids in Edinburgh

Keep the kids busy this Easter holiday with hunts, trails and bunnies being fired into space

Why does the Easter Bunny hide eggs? Bunnies don't lay eggs. And where is he getting all these chocolate eggs? Do Santa's elves have a side business in confectionery? Something to ponder as you hunt for Easter eggs, clues or even corgis this Easter weekend.

The National Trust and Cadbury took some criticism, from both the PM and the Archbishop of York, for dropping the word 'Easter' from their hunts. The now controversial Cadbury Egg Trail takes place at lots of National Trust and National Trust for Scotland properties, visit the Georgian House in Edinburgh (Fri 14–Mon 17 Apr) to collect a hunt map, follow the clues and claim a Cadbury prize. At the Palace of Holyrood you can take part in a Fabergé egg hunt (Sun 16 Apr) and there's traditional Scottish music and dancing throughout the day in the family ceilidh run by local performers CeilidhKids. Just give yourself five after eating any chocolate before you start a vigorous Dashing White Sergeant.

For little history fans the Easter Eggsplorer Trail is taking place at castles, abbeys and forts across Scotland. Edinburgh dwellers can head to Craigmillar Castle (Fri 14–Mon 17 Apr) where they can follow the clues to complete the challenge. The Royal Yacht Britannia has chosen to hide cuddly corgis as opposed to eggs (until Fri 21 Apr), they must have had a lot lying around. Kids get in free if they bring a cuddly toy along with them. Over at the Royal Botanic Garden you can help the Botanics Bunny find the missing ingredients for his scrumptious chocolate bar (until Mon 17 Apr). Complete the trail and claim your chocolate reward, from Mackie's of Scotland.

Waterstones West End host a day of Easter activities (Sat 15 Apr), where you can hunt for eggs throughout the store and enjoy some Easter colouring in. At Edinburgh Zoo things are a bit more educational, you can learn about about animals that hatch in spring on the Hatchimal Easter Trail (Mon 10–Mon 17 Apr), which takes visitors on an adventure to discover a range of animals which lay eggs at the zoo, including penguins, flamingos, rhea, insects, owls, snakes and pelicans. As part of the Edinburgh International Science Festival Dr Bunnhead is in town with his Eggcellent Eggsplosions. (Wed 5–Fri 7 Apr). The stunt scientist's show promises that 'Easter eggs will be exploded, bunnies will be fired into space, things will go boom, and people will redecorate their underpants.' So consider yourself warned.